Budget Smudgeit
Written By:
Date published: 2:43 pm, May 30th, 2024 - 42 comments
Categories: budget 2024, national, nicola willis, same old national, treasury
Tags:
Early comments on the budget. Basically tax cuts are being paid by more borrowing. There is no way this can be described as being fiscally neutral.
The Budget Day Protests
Written By:
Date published: 8:33 am, May 30th, 2024 - 16 comments
Categories: budget 2024, democratic participation, Maori Issues, maori party
Tags: protest, strike
Protests by Māori and Tangata Tiriti against government policy are underway on the day of the National government’s first budget. Carkoi and Hikoi are taking place in many locations across the country.
Open mike 31/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 31st, 2024 - No comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 30/05/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 30th, 2024 - 13 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 30/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 30th, 2024 - 26 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 29/05/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 29th, 2024 - 3 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 29/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 29th, 2024 - 37 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Is our investment in defence value for money?
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Date published: 4:31 am, May 29th, 2024 - 30 comments
Defence cost us more than $6.7 billion in 2023/24. Why does our small, remote country have such a costly defence force? Is it fit for purpose – and in 2024, what is that purpose?
Daily review 28/05/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 28th, 2024 - 20 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
What does the Government have against Māori wards?
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Date published: 1:27 pm, May 28th, 2024 - 46 comments
The Government is moving with urgency to reverse Labour’s repeal of referenda for Māori wards on local councils.
Open mike 28/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 28th, 2024 - 77 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 27/05/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 27th, 2024 - 6 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 27/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 27th, 2024 - 14 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
What is that word that starts with “C” and ends with “orruption”?
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Date published: 11:11 am, May 26th, 2024 - 46 comments
The past fortnight has seen a number of breaking stories each of which raises concerns about the motivations and goals of this Government. It makes you wonder whether the pursuit of self interest is an embedded feature as opposed to a bug.
Open mike 26/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 26th, 2024 - 32 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Is Shane Jones Right About Mining?
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Date published: 10:58 am, May 25th, 2024 - 36 comments
Maybe Shane Jones is at least partially right about mining.
The Luxon Government’s War on Nature
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Date published: 6:10 am, May 25th, 2024 - 10 comments
“But the truth is that real gains only ever come out of a mobilised civil society and achieving a mobilised civil society is exactly what we have to do.”
– Russel Norman
Open mike 25/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 25th, 2024 - 62 comments
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Daily review 24/05/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 24th, 2024 - 1 comment
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 24/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 24th, 2024 - 57 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 23/05/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 23rd, 2024 - 9 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
“It’s the end of the Tories…”
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Date published: 12:13 pm, May 23rd, 2024 - 27 comments
“and they know it”
Open mike 23/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 23rd, 2024 - 93 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 22/05/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 22nd, 2024 - 4 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Making up for lost time
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Date published: 8:34 am, May 22nd, 2024 - 39 comments
Guest post by Nigel Haworth where he discusses Labour membership’s desire for taxation reform and why it is important that Labour decides on its position as soon as possible.
Open mike 22/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 22nd, 2024 - 66 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 21/05/2024
Written By:
Date published: 5:30 pm, May 21st, 2024 - 16 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
National MP *forgets* to declare $178,000 in donations
Written By:
Date published: 11:23 am, May 21st, 2024 - 21 comments
In breaking news New Plymouth National MP David MacLeod apparently *forgot* to declare $178,000 in declarations to the Electoral Commission.
Speech time
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Date published: 9:02 am, May 21st, 2024 - 6 comments
In the past week Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins have both delivered future vision themed speeches. With some dramatic contrasts.
Open mike 21/05/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 21st, 2024 - 46 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
British politics – hurry up and wait for a general election
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Date published: 4:58 am, May 21st, 2024 - 16 comments
While I do not pick elections, I think it is safe to make this point. If Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party are holding on for a dramatic change in polling numbers, they are unlikely to see this happen. On current polling, even a 7% swing in their favour would not be enough to stop them from losing the election. Labour should not be complacent, but it is increasingly obvious that the voter coalition that helped the Conservatives win in 2019 has collapsed.
- The next cuts will be the deepest
A slowing economy and, consequently, a lower tax take means we are looking at three years of economic austerity from the Government. That austerity will be the product of what will need to be more deep cuts to Government spending. That much was evident from yesterday’s Budget, which showed tax ...2 hours ago - The Incredible Shrinking Nicola Willis
What you see is what you get. Mostly. For all the coalition haggling, culture wars and “let me be clear” obfuscation we’ve seen in the first six months of this government, National has delivered a very National budget. It’s not so much the axe being swung in this budget as ...8 hours ago - Of George R.R, Martin, Adaptations, and Improving the Story
George R.R. Martin has taken a potshot at the adaptation process, arguing that screenwriters’ desire to improve on source material leads to a worse story outcome: https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2024/05/24/the-adaptation-tango/ “Everywhere you look, there are more screenwriters and producers eager to take great stories and “make them their own.” It does ...11 hours ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #22 2024
Open access notables Unveiling Unprecedented Methane Hotspots in China's Leading Coal Production Hub: A Satellite Mapping Revelation, Han et al., Geophysical Research Letters: China is likely the world's largest anthropogenic source of methane emissions, with coal mine methane (CMM) being the predominant contributor. Here, we deploy 2 years of satellite observations ...11 hours ago - This matters
I've been watching the reports of the Māori-led protests all around the country this morning, seeing huge crowds not just in Auckland and Wellington and other major cities, but in much smaller places like Nelson and Whangārei. Its a significant show of opposition to the government, and hopefully they are ...17 hours ago - This mattersI've been watching the reports of the Māori-led protests all around the country this morning, seeing huge crowds not just in Auckland and Wellington and other major cities, but in much smaller places like Nelson and Whangārei. Its a significant show of opposition to the government, and hopefully they are ...17 hours ago
- Taking less, not giving more
Ele Ludemann writes – Ever since National talked about helping us by allowing us to keep some of our own money, critics have been vociferous in opposition. There are so many urgent needs in core public services – education, health, infrastructure, police . . . it’s not hard ...18 hours ago - Winston sums it up wellDavid Farrar writes – The Herald reports: Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has taken aim at Te Pāti Māori, calling them “radical extremists” and accusing them stoking racial division. Peters was responding to Te Pāti Māori’s promotion of the nationwide protests planned for Budget Day and comments ...18 hours ago
- Karen Chhour has spoken about family violence – but the media are waiting for the Budget speech (a...
Buzz from the Beehive We drew a blank, almost, when we checked the government’s official website this morning. Yes, there was a speech by the redoubtable Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour. For the rest of it, our comfortably paid ministers of the Crown have ...18 hours ago - Communication Breakdown.
Inadequately Equipped: Forget the loud-hailers Minister, what you need is TikTok. Shane Jones marches into Blackball preaching the gospel of “Mine, Baby, Mine!” the old-fashioned way.IT ALMOST WORKED. “Matua Shane”, local supporters in tow, advanced down the main street of Blackball. Had the Minister for Resources, Shane Jones, been supplied with a ...19 hours ago - Communication Breakdown: Roy Orbison.A treat for all those who have just read the preceding post. Roy Orbison sings (as only Roy Orbison can sing) his 1966 hit, Communication Breakdown.Video courtesy of YouTubeThis post is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...19 hours ago
- Nationwide Activation Day
Hi all,I thought I’d write a quick note on the start of a long day. Protests this morning, speeches soon, then that budget thingy, and no doubt a lot of post match analysis.After the appalling weather last evening I was a little reluctant to get up, but this was no ...20 hours ago - What you need to know about record-breaking heat in the AtlanticThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Michael Lowry Over 90% of the tropical Atlantic is experiencing record or near-record warm sea surface temperatures for late May. Waters across the Atlantic’s tropical belt — extending from the coast of Africa through the Caribbean — are hotter now ...22 hours ago
- Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, May 30
23 hours ago - In praise of alleyways and paths through parks
The Waitematā Local Board is currently consulting on the cutely named Local Active Modes Plan (aka LAMP), which aims to illuminate a programme of quick wins for walking and cycling. There’s a nifty drop-a-pin map here. Get in quick – consultation closes tomorrow, Friday 31 May, presumably at midnight. In the ...24 hours ago - Can Willis beat the bank?The success – or otherwise — of today’s Budget will depend as much as anything else on the views of one man, Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr. If the Bank concludes that the deficit track is either unconvincing or too lax, then despite the “back pocket boost” tax cuts, the ...1 day ago
- Tom Bombadil to Appear in Rings of Power
Rumours can be glorious things. One some time ago went so far as to suggest that Melkor/Morgoth will appear in Season Two of Rings of Power… disguised as Tom Bombadil. And now we know that crazy rumour had a grain of truth to it. He might not be ...1 day ago - Going some place and there's no going back
Been busy getting on bikes and pointing them towards Europe.Been feeling melancholy, seeing Karren off at the train, back to Heathrow, back to Auckland, back to the seaside village; hugging Mary-Margaret goodbye after one last coffee at Hackney 215. Even though you’ve been really really looking forward to this road ...2 days ago - Performer of a karakia in Parliament was not miffed by being muzzled – but Waititi demands reprima...Buzz from the Beehive Six ministers have posted announcements on the government’s official website in the past 24 hours, two of them contributing to one media statement in the matter of the decision to support the Papua New Guinea response to the devastating landslide in Enga Province. Three statements ...2 days ago
- Member’s DayToday is a Member's Day. First up there is the committee stage of the McLean Institute (Trust Variation) Bill, some private law for a charity. This will be followed by the third reading of Greg O'Connor's Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill (law ...2 days ago
- Not thinking at allEle Ludemann writes – Environmentalists preach that we should think global and act local. It’s a good message but one which too often they don’t follow, in some cases they don’t appear to be thinking at all. Demanding that New Zealand reduce livestock farming is a case in ...2 days ago
- Climate Change: Another budget hole for National?National's 2023 campaign was all about tax cuts for landlords. And one of the key ways they were planning to fund it was a "climate dividend" - basically, pillaging ETS revenue and redirecting it from decarbonisation straight into the pockets of the rich. But there's a problem: there might not ...2 days ago
- The most vital thing about the re-introduction of Charter Schools is that EVERYTHING is done wellAlwyn Poole writes – I have no doubt Chris Hipkins is the worst and most ignorant (or dishonest) Minister of Education our nation has seen. He said this on NewstalkZB last week: “If people are concerned about kids who aren’t achieving in mainstream schooling, the area ...2 days ago
- Is it time for an Integrity Commission to monitor conflicts of interest?Bryce Edwards writes – News that the Government’s new Parliamentary Undersecretary for Health, Todd Stephenson, has been pressured today to sell his investments in pharmaceutical companies shows how New Zealand is becoming more sensitive and suspicious about politicians’ “conflicts of interest”. Yet, we need to get much more ...2 days ago
- Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Wednesday, May 29
2 days ago - Gas Station watchGas Stations sit the very intersection of transport, land use, and the energy transition, so are interesting to watch. Especially in the city core. The three buildings shown here are all on the sites of former gas stations in central Auckland. The longer term fact is that gas stations are ...2 days ago
- Nicola's Bag of Money.
Have you seen my bag of money?I left it in the parlour,It was your party and they were your friends,I see you got a nice new car and a brand new pair of pants.So what’s it going to be New Zealand? The Money or the Bag? Do you want those ...2 days ago - The Media Outlets & Millionaires Enabling The Elderly Edgelords
Hi,I am sort of loath to write this newsletter today because I fear it’s playing into the hands of a bunch of elderly edgelords. These are typically older white men who generate their income by saying the most hideous stuff they can, all while self-righteously screaming about the merits of ...2 days ago - Film-makers follow the money on ‘disinformation’ bandwagon
Graham Adams writes that while Web of Chaos gets a rerun on TVNZ, River of Freedom is left out in the cold. If you are a film-maker looking for an injection of taxpayer cash, a pitch focused on fake news purportedly propagated by “conspiracy theorists” looks to be a good ...2 days ago - At a glance – What is the link between hurricanes and global warming?On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...3 days ago
- Nicola Willis brings us up to date with state service job cuts – while Tamatha Paul (is this overk...Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis has estimated the loss of around 2500 jobs from the public sector during the cost-saving since the general election last October. Another 1150 vacancies in Government departments have been removed from the books and 500 are expected to go, she said during ...3 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Is it time for an Integrity Commission to monitor conflicts of interest?
News that the Government’s new Parliamentary Undersecretary for Health, Todd Stephenson, has been pressured today to sell his investments in pharmaceutical companies shows how New Zealand is becoming more sensitive and suspicious about politicians’ “conflicts of interest”. Yet, we need to get much more serious about creating rules and procedures ...3 days ago - Forget the loud-hailers Minister, what you need is TikTokChris Trotter writes – It almost worked. “Matua Shane”, local supporters in tow, advanced down the main street of Blackball. Had the Minister for Resources, Shane Jones, been supplied with a full-sized loud-hailer to amplify his pro-mining slogans, then the photo-op would have been an unqualified success. Unfortunately, the ...3 days ago
- Did the Reserve Bank massage its OCR forecasts to help Labour keep power? (we’ve found evidence po...Rob MacCulloch writes – Last year, in the lead up to the national election, Governor Orr said in May 2023 that he was “very confident” there would not be further interest rate hikes, stating the Reserve Bank had done enough in terms of rate rises. He was interviewed by ...3 days ago
- Parliament’s increasingly toxic ethnic identity warsBryce Edwards writes Toxicity and disinformation are becoming a big part of New Zealand politics. And much of this relates to debates about ethnicity, race, and racism. We should all be concerned about this trend. Personal abuse, dishonesty, and contempt in the public sphere are bad for democracy, ...3 days ago
- Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Tuesday, May 28
House-building and infrastructure industry leaders are begging the Government for project-pipeline certainty and warning of a 2009/10-style exodus of skilled staff overseas. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government won last year’s election with a pledge to ‘get things done’ and ‘get New Zealand back on ...3 days ago - Slippery People.
What's the matter with him? (He's alright)How do you know? (The Lord won't mind)Don't play no games (he's alright)Love from the bottom to the top.You’re alright, but how about her, or him? What makes them tick? Are they a solid citizen or a slippery fecker? Why are we all so ...3 days ago - Children’s Voices in Auckland’s FutureRecently, the transport consultancy Crank publicly released a report about children’s vision for transport in Auckland. It was produced in 2023 to help shape Auckland Council’s Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) Reduction Strategy. That got me thinking, and after going back to the recent Long Term Plan Consultation Feedback results, one ...3 days ago
- Med school backdown the “right thing” says SeymourOne of National’s showpiece election promises appears to be in more trouble with Waikato University yesterday withdrawing its call for tenders to develop a new medical school. The move will delay any substantial increase in the number of doctors being trained in New Zealand. The University’s decision just over a ...3 days ago
- Of ‘said’ and Dialogue Tags in WritingToday, I ran across a Twitter thread about writerly use of the word ‘said’: https://x.com/APoetForThePyre/status/1794895108581859794 As a writer, I have my opinions about this, and since it has been a long, long time since I offered thoughts on the unwritten rules of writing, I thought I would explore the matter ...3 days ago
- The silent tragedy of local restrictions on renewable energyThis story by James Goodwin was originally published by The Revelator and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Communities across the United States may soon find themselves facing a grim scenario. By adopted local ordinances that obstruct the development of new renewable energy resources within ...4 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Parliament’s increasingly toxic ethnic identity warsToxicity and disinformation are becoming a big part of New Zealand politics. And much of this relates to debates about ethnicity, race, and racism. We should all be concerned about this trend. Personal abuse, dishonesty, and contempt in the public sphere are bad for democracy, social cohesion, and the integrity ...4 days ago
- What to say on the government’s racist Māori wards billI've spent the afternoon working on my submission on the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill - National's racist bill to eliminate Māori representation from local government. It's an important bill, and the timeframe for submissions is tight - only two days left! National ...4 days ago
- Collins will be abroad when critics react to science funding – but Matauranga money should not be ...Buzz from the Beehive With just a few days to go before Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers her first Budget speech, her colleagues have been focused in recent days on issues beyond our shores. Education Minister Erica Stanford made the only announcement of concern to citizens who want to know ...4 days ago
- New Caledonia’s troublesJames Kierstead writes – White sand beaches. Palm trees waving in a gentle breeze. Seas of turquoise and ultramarine, cobalt and denim stretching out as far as the eye can see. Such is the view of New Caledonia that you get on travel websites. And it’s not an ...4 days ago
- The Negative social impact of taxpayer-funded partisan charitiesBryce Edwards writes – Whenever politicians dole out taxpayer funding to groups or individuals, they must do so in a wholly transparent way with due process to ensure conflicts of interest don’t occur and that the country receives value for money. Unfortunately, it’s not clear that this has ...4 days ago
- The Letter from Mayors & ChairsFrank Newman writes – Earlier this week Local Government NZ sent a letter to the leaders of the coalition parties and Ministers Simeon Brown and Tama Potaka. It was signed by 52 local government leaders (see list appended). The essence of the letter is this: Our position…is ...4 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on South Africa’s harsh election choicesT he ANC’s goal in Wednesday’s election will be to staunch the bleeding of its support. The ANC has reason to feel anxious. For months, the polls have been indicating the ANC will lose its overall majority for the first time since the Mandela election of 1994. The size of ...4 days ago
- The Kaka’s diary for the week to June 3 and beyond
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to June 3 include:PM Christopher Luxon is expected to hold his weekly post-cabinet news conference at 4:00pm today.Parliament’s Environment Select Committee resumes hearing submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm today.Auckland ...4 days ago - May-24 AT Board MeetingTomorrow the AT board meet again and I’ve taken a look through the items on their public agenda to see what’s interesting. It’s also the first meeting for two recently appointed directors, former director at Ritchies Transport, Andrew Ritchie and former mayor of Hamilton, Julie Hardaker. The public session starts ...4 days ago
- Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Monday, May 27
The Government is looking again at changing fringe benefit tax rules to make it harder to claim a personally-used double-cab ute as a company vehicle. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Having repealed the previous Government’s ‘ute tax’ last year, the new Government is looking at removing a defacto tax ...4 days ago - Some Dark Moments from Netflix's Dark Tourist
Hi,I pitched a documentary to a big streamer last week and they said “no thanks” which is a bummer, because we’d worked on the concept for ages and I think it would have been a compelling watch. But I would say that because I was the one pitching it, right?As ...4 days ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #21A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 19, 2024 thru Sat, May 25, 2024. Story of the week This week's typiclal compendium of stories we'd rather were plot devices in science ficition novels but instead ...4 days ago
- National’s bulldozer dictatorship billThis National government has been aggressively anti-environment, and is currently ramming through its corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" legislation to give three ministers dictatorial powers over what gets built and where. But that's not the only thing they're doing. On Thursday they introduced a Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, ...5 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Negative social impact of taxpayer-funded partisan charitiesWhenever politicians dole out taxpayer funding to groups or individuals, they must do so in a wholly transparent way with due process to ensure conflicts of interest don’t occur and that the country receives value for money. Unfortunately, it’s not clear that this has occurred in the announcement this week ...5 days ago
- My Lovely Man.
Last night began earlier than usual. In bed by 6:30pm, asleep an hour later. Sometimes I do sleep odd hours, writing late and/or getting up very early - complemented with the occasional siesta, but I’m usually up a bit later than that on a Saturday night. Last night I was ...5 days ago - Pressing the Big Red Button
Early in the COVID-19 days, the Boris Johnson government pressed a Big Red Button marked: act immediately, never mind about the paperwork.Their problem was: not having enough PPE gear for all the hospital and emergency staff. Their solution was to expedite things and get them the gear ASAP.This, along with ...5 days ago - Of Pensioners and Student Loans: An Indictment on New ZealandUp until 1989, you could attend a New Zealand University, and never need to pay a cent for your education. That then changed, of course. The sadists of the Fourth Labour Government introduced substantial fees for study, never having had to pay a cent for their own education. The even ...5 days ago
- Putting children firstEle Ludemann writes – Minister for Children Karen Chhour is putting children first: Hon KAREN CHHOUR: I move, That the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the bill. It’s a privilege ...6 days ago
- Te Pati Maori go personalDavid Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Applause and cheers erupted in the House on Wednesday afternoon as Children’s Minister Karen Chhour condemned Te Pāti Māori’s insults about her upbringing. Chhour, who grew up in state care, is repealing section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act – sparking uproar from ...6 days ago
- Threads of Corruption
I could corrupt youIt would be uglyThey could sedate youBut what good would drugs be?Good Morning all,Today there’s a guest newsletter from Gerard Otto (G). By which I mean I read his post this morning and he has kindly allowed me to share it with you.If you don’t already I ...6 days ago - The days fly by
6 days ago - Aotearoa, you’re being dismantled… so take the blinkers off and start talking honestly about it.
Is the solution to any of the serious, long term issues we all have to face as a nation, because many governments of all stripes we can probably all admit if we’re deeply truthful with ourselves haven’t done near enough work at the very times they should have, to basically ...6 days ago - Has Labour Abandoned the Welfare State They Created in 1938?
The 2018 Social Security Act suggests that Labour may have retreated to the minimalist (neo-liberal) welfare state which has developed out of the Richardson-Shipley ‘redesign’. One wonders what Michael Joseph Savage, Peter Fraser and Walter Nash would have thought of the Social Security Act passed by the Ardern Labour Government ...7 days ago - Bryce Edwards: MPs’ financial interests under scrutinyMPs are supposed to serve the public interest, not their own self-interest. And according to the New Zealand Parliament’s website, democracy and integrity are tarnished whenever politicians seek to enrich themselves or the people they are connected with. For this reason, the Parliament has a “Register of Pecuniary Interests” in ...7 days ago
- Mastering FLICC – A Cranky Uncle themed quizBy now, most of you will have heard about the FLICC taxonomy of science denial techniques and how you can train your skills in detecting them with the Cranky Uncle game. If you like to quickly check how good you are at this already, answer the 12 quiz questions in the ...7 days ago
- Shane Jones has the zeal, sure enough, but is too busy with his mining duties (we suspect) to be ava...Buzz from the Beehive The hacks of the Parliamentary Press Gallery have been able to chip into a rich vein of material on the government’s official website over the past 24 hours. Among the nuggets is the speech by Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and a press statement to announce ...7 days ago
- Cut the parliamentary termWhen Labour was in power, they wasted time, political capital, and scarce policy resources on trying to extend the parliamentary term to four years, in an effort to make themselves less accountable to us. It was unlikely to fly, the idea having previously lost two referendums by huge margins - ...7 days ago
- More terrible media ethicsDavid Farrar writes – The Herald reports: When Whanau Ora chief executive John Tamihere was asked what his expectations for the Budget next Thursday were, he said: “All hope is lost.” Last year Whānau Ora was allocated $163.1 million in the Budget to last for the next four years ...7 days ago
- Bringing our democracy into disreputeOn Monday the government introduced its racist bill to eliminate Māori represntation in local government to the House. They rammed it through its first reading yesterday, and sent it to select committee. And the select committee has just opened submissions, giving us until Wednesday to comment on it. Such a ...7 days ago
- The censors who’ll save us from ourselves… yeah right!Nick Hanne writes – There’s a common malady suffered by bureaucracies the world over. They wish to save us from ourselves. Sadly, NZ officials are no less prone to exhibiting symptoms of this occupational condition. Observe, for instance, the reaction from certain public figures to the news ...7 days ago
- The case for commissioners to govern the capital cityPeter Dunne writes – As the city of Tauranga prepares to elect a new Mayor and Council after three and a half years being run by government-appointed Commissioners, the case for replacing the Wellington City Council with Commissioners strengthens. The Wellington City Council has been dysfunctional for years, ...7 days ago
- Thoughts about contemporary troubles.
This will be s short post. It stems from observations I made elsewhere about what might be characterised as some macro and micro aspects of contemporary collective violence events. Here goes. The conflicts between Israel and Palestine and France and … Continue reading ...7 days ago - Gordon Campbell On Blurring The Lines Around Political CorruptionIt may be a relic of a previous era of egalitarianism, but many of us like to think that, in general, most New Zealanders are as honest as the day is long. We’re good like that, and smart as. If we’re not punching above our weight on the world stage, ...7 days ago
- MPs own 2.2 houses on averageBryce Edwards writes – Why aren’t politicians taking more action on the housing affordability crisis? The answer might lie in the latest “Register of Pecuniary Interests.” This register contains details of the various financial interests of parliamentarians. It shows that politicians own real estate in significant numbers. The ...7 days ago
- Funding for Māori slashed in Budget
Nicola Willis’ Budget represents the worst outcome for Māori in a generation. ...14 hours ago - Release: Back out budget breaks promisesThe budget today is a sad state of affairs and the country can now see the result of Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ wrong choices and the Government’s broken promises. ...16 hours ago
- Release: Economy goes backwards under incompetent coalition govtFinance Minister Nicola Willis has repeatedly said she will not be borrowing for tax cuts and denied fiscal irresponsibility. Today, the budget has revealed Nicola Willis has borrowed $12 billion – and her tax cuts cost $10 billion. ...16 hours ago
- Release: National Government takes anti-housing stanceIn six short months the Minister for Housing has shrunk the pool of potential home owners in New Zealand, removed housing security for renters, re-introduced competition on existing stock between investors and speculators, and served power and billions of dollars to landlords on a silver platter, says Labour housing spokesperson ...4 days ago
- Speech: Commemoration of 145th Anniversary of Girmit in Fiji...4 days ago
- New Zealand First Member’s Bill to protect Freedom of Speech
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect New Zealanders' right of free speech. The “Protection of Freedom of Expression Bill” will ensure that no organisation or individual, when acting within the law, is unreasonably denied use of a public venue for an organised event or ...7 days ago - Government trying to rush Māori wards legislation through without public say
The Green Party unequivocally condemns the governing parties’ attempts to limit the public’s say on the controversial Māori wards legislation, after the select committee considering the legislation set a deadline for submissions of just five days. ...7 days ago - Release: Statement from housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty“Today it sounds like the Minister for Housing and his associate are announcing 500 homes that already exist,” Kieran McAnulty said. ...7 days ago
- Release: Mining on conservation land will take NZ backwardsShane Jones’s speech today demonstrates once again that he will put his political theatrics ahead of New Zealand’s workers and their futures. ...7 days ago
- Release: Disabled children latest to lose access to fundingDisabled children and families nationwide have recently found out they’re no longer able to use disability support funding for programmes during school hours in another quiet update from the Government. ...7 days ago
- Coalition of coal will prove catastrophic for climateThe Government’s plans to ramp up coal mining in the heat of a climate crisis will see our chances of a liveable future melt away. ...1 week ago
- Aotearoa must follow in the footsteps of countries recognising Palestinian statehoodThe Green Party is calling on the Government to follow in the footsteps of Ireland, Spain and Norway in recognising Palestinian statehood. ...1 week ago
- Release: Time to make stalking a crimeFollowing a horrific case of stalking that ended in tragedy, Labour’s police spokesperson Ginny Andersen has drafted a bill that would add stalking to the Crimes Act. ...1 week ago
- $24 million for free mental health counselling for young kiwisThe Rt Hon Winston Peters, joined by Mike King, has announced $24 million over four years for the ‘I Am Hope Foundation’, and will provide young people aged between 5 to 25 years with free mental health counselling services. This funding will help I Am Hope’s ‘Gumboot Friday’ initiative give ...1 week ago
- Release: Strong support for disability fundingTwo thirds of Kiwis in a new poll want funding flexibility reinstated for disabled people and carers. ...1 week ago
- Petition launched to save Māori babies and their right to be with whakapapaTe Pāti Māori have launched a petition to stop the repeal of Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act. This announcement comes prior to the first reading of the Section 7AA repeal bill in Parliament today. “Section 7AA forces the Government to adhere to Te Tiriti o Waitangi with respect ...1 week ago
- Government introduces Bill to roll back Māori WardsThe Green Party has sounded the alarm over the Government’s introduction of legislation to remove Māori Wards and roll back years of progress. ...1 week ago
- Release: Pre-Budget Speech: Barbara Edmonds...1 week ago
- Release: Another announcement, still no funding for more public housesThe Government has yet again failed to do the one thing that needs to happen to ensure houses can be built – commit to ongoing funding, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...1 week ago
- Government must build more public houses, not find excuses to sell themThe Green Party says the Government must use the review of Kāinga Ora as a platform to build more homes, not an excuse to sell them off. ...2 weeks ago
- Government must build more public houses, not find excuses to sell themThe Green Party says the Government must use the review of Kāinga Ora as a platform to build more homes, not an excuse to sell them off. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Treasury advice show flaws in Fast Track Approvals BillTreasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...2 weeks ago
- State of the Planet speeches, 2024Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick used this year's State of the Planet to call on the Government to prioritise people and planet as the delivery of the Budget approaches. A full transcript of their speeches can be found below. ...2 weeks ago
- State of the Planet: Government must be guided by values not moneyGreen Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have used their State of the Planet speeches to challenge the Government to prioritise people and planet over profit as the delivery of the Budget approaches. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins’ speech: New Zealand in 2040 – A vision worth fighting for...2 weeks ago
- Release: 4,500 jobs lost – and countingMore than 4,500 jobs are set to go as the National Government continues its deep cuts to services to pay for irresponsible and ill-timed tax cuts. ...2 weeks ago
- No-cause evictions leave no hope for rentersThe Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National winding back mental health workThe Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamarikiToday’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...2 weeks ago
- Gang policy setting communities up for failureThe Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...2 weeks ago
- Statement from police spokesperson Ginny Andersen“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...2 weeks ago
- Charter schools not a serious solutionWe need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Ideological charter schools won’t increase achievementThe Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Visas needed for Palestinians with family in New ZealandThe Government must show some compassion and create a special visa to allow Palestinians with family in New Zealand to be reunited with them here. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt’s stubbornness will harm Māori childrenGovernment has remained stubborn and is ramming its Bill into the House today, which the Waitangi Tribunal has said will hurt vulnerable children. ...3 weeks ago
- ‘Lucky dip’ process too casual for hearing critical submissions on Fast Track approvals billTe Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...3 weeks ago
- Budget delivers on promises to Kiwis
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says Budget 2024 delivers on the Government’s promises, with savings across the public sector being reinvested in frontline services and meaningful tax reductions to support hard-working Kiwis. “This Budget is prudent and fiscally responsible. By identifying billions of dollars of lower-value spending across the public sector, ...17 hours ago - Nicola Willis – Budget 2024 SpeechMr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (2024/25 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. Tēnā koutou katoa. E mihi ana ki a Ahumairangi, ki a Tangi-te-keo, ki te Whanganui-a-Tara. Tāne whakapiripiri e tū nei, e ngā tāngata whenua o te rohe, e ngā mema ...17 hours ago
- Budget supports practical climate actionResponsible and effective climate related initiatives that support New Zealand to reduce emissions, and adapt to the future effects of climate change are a priority, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Our Government is committed to meeting emission reduction targets, including the overall goal of carbon net-zero by 2050, while ...17 hours ago
- More than $1 billion for Cyclone relief, resilience and emergency preparednessBudget 2024 invests more than $1 billion in a package of initiatives to further support the rebuild and recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods to improve New Zealand’s emergency preparedness, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell say. ...17 hours ago
- Waste levy changes to improve environmentRevenue from the Waste Disposal Levy will be spent on a wider range of projects supporting the environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation in addition to minimising waste, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “The Government will introduce a Bill as part of Budget 2024 legislation which expands the scope ...17 hours ago
- Rewarding hard work in tertiary education and trainingBudget 2024 sets the path for a sustainable tertiary education sector that supports and incentivises hard working learners, businesses, and tertiary education providers, Tertiary Education Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The first year Fees Free policy was an expensive failure and did not deliver its aim of more students going into ...17 hours ago
- Investing in transport for growthBudget 2024 confirms a $2.68 billion investment in roads, rail, and public transport to unlock economic growth and enable Kiwis and freight to get to where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “This funding includes a billion-dollar increase over that signalled during the consultation ...17 hours ago
- Budget assures funding for Te MatatiniKua tū te haka a Tāne Rore me ngā mahi a Hine Rēhia! Secure long-term funding of $48.7 million from 2025 will ensure the future of Te Matatini prospers with the support of the Government, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. I tēnei tahua pūtea kua whakangaoa e te Kāwanatanga ...17 hours ago
- Regional resilience and prosperity focus of new fundSupporting regional productivity, prosperity and resilience will be at the heart of the Regional Infrastructure Fund, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “The coalition Government is committed to building a stronger, more productive economy, and this fund will help support our regional economies to grow,” Mr Jones says. “Building infrastructure ...17 hours ago
- $1.1 billion investment to support disabled peopleCritical support services that improve the lives of disabled people, their families, and those who care for them will receive significant investment through Budget 2024. “The coalition Government wants the best outcomes for the disability community, which is why we are prioritising the essential frontline services they rely on,” says ...17 hours ago
- Fixing New Zealand’s infrastructure deficitBudget 2024 lays the foundations for a better performing infrastructure system, with investments to ensure Kiwis spend less time waiting in traffic, that improve our climate resilience, and in modern classrooms that support our kids to achieve at school, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Government is determined to address ...17 hours ago
- Budget 24 turns tide on wasteful spendingAssociate Finance Minister David Seymour says this Budget makes a good start in reducing low value government spending, and there is more efficiency to be found in future Budget cycles. “The coalition Government inherited a dire fiscal situation. Core Crown expenditure increased nearly 70 percent between 2017 and 2023. Debt ...17 hours ago
- 500 more Police to improve public safetyFrontline Police numbers will be increased by 500 officers by the end of 2025 to help reduce crime and improve public safety, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says. “We are serious about restoring law and order and that starts with having more Police on the beat to deter crime and ...17 hours ago
- Budget backs Police on the front lineA focus on supporting frontline Police in this year’s Budget will keep our communities safer, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “We are serious about cracking down on crime and keeping communities safe so people can go about their lives in peace. We back our Police and are giving them more ...17 hours ago
- $2.93 billion investment to lift educational achievementThe coalition Government is boosting education spending by $2.93 billion over the next four years to improve student outcomes, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. "The investment includes extra funding for new classrooms, additional teacher support and early childhood education,” Ms Stanford says. “It also includes previously announced additional funding for ...17 hours ago
- Budget prioritises frontline health services & workersHealth will get a significant funding boost of $16.68 billion across three Budgets as part of our plan to invest in frontline services such as emergency departments, primary care, medicines and public health to ensure New Zealanders can get the healthcare they deserve, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “Our ...17 hours ago
- Rebuilding the New Zealand economyBudget 2024 restores discipline to spending to get the books back in order, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Operating allowance for Budget 2024 lowered to $3.2 billion: the lowest operating allowance since Budget 2018 Future operating allowances lowered to $2.4 billion The Multi-Year Capital Allowance receives a $7 billion top-up, ...17 hours ago
- Responsible tax relief for the squeezed middleBudget 2024 delivers overdue tax relief to 3.5 million New Zealanders so they can keep more of what they earn. Tax relief as set out in the National Party’s 2023 tax plan From 31 July this year average income households receive tax relief of up to $102 a fortnight and ...18 hours ago
- Budget 2024 delivers for New ZealandBudget 2024 sets out the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy, ease the cost of living, deliver better health and education services and restore law and order, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “This is a fiscally responsible Budget that delivers on key coalition Government commitments.” Tax relief for the squeezed ...18 hours ago
- Speech to National Family Violence Conference 2024Hon. Karen Chhour National Network of Family Violence Services National Family Violence Conference 2024 9:25am Wednesday 29 May 2024 It is an honour to open this conference, and I want to acknowledge the broad range of expertise, experience, and hard work represented by the people here in this room. ...20 hours ago
- Government improves mass arrival managementThe Government has strengthened settings for managing a mass arrival, with the passing of the Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill today. “While we haven’t experienced a mass arrival event in New Zealand, it is an ongoing possibility which would have a significant impact on our immigration and court systems,” Immigration ...2 days ago
- Super Fund to get more investment opportunitiesFinance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed the passage of legislation giving the New Zealand Superannuation Fund a wider range of investment opportunities. The New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Controlling Interests) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament today. “The bill removes a section in the original act that ...2 days ago
- Crown and iwi settle three decades of negotiationsThree decades of negotiations between iwi and the Crown have been settled today as the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Bill passes its third reading in Parliament, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “While no settlement can fully compensate for the Crown’s past injustices, this settlement will support the aspirations and prosperity ...3 days ago
- New Zealand to support PNG landslide responseNew Zealand will support Papua New Guinea’s response to the devastating landslide in Enga Province, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced. “Ever since learning of the horrendous landslide on Friday, New Zealand has been determined to play our part in assisting Papua New Guinea’s ...3 days ago
- Speech to WasteMINZ ConferenceTena koutou katoa. Kia ora tatou. Na mihi nui kia koutou. Greetings and thank you for having me at this year’s WasteMINZ conference. In particular, I acknowledge WasteMINZ’s chair Parul Sood, WasteMINZ board members, CEO Nic Quilty and the team, and all of today’s delegates. I’m going to take this ...3 days ago
- Government to consult on regulation of shooting clubs and rangesThe Government is consulting New Zealanders on a package of proposals for simple and effective regulation of shooting clubs and ranges, Associate Minister of Justice, Nicole McKee announced today. “Clubs and ranges are not only important for people learning to operate firearms safely, to practice, and to compete, ...3 days ago
- Successful New Caledonia repatriation winds up, need for dialogue remainsOver 300 people have been successfully flown out of New Caledonia in a joint Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) operation. As of today, seven New Zealand government aircraft flights to Nouméa have assisted around 225 New Zealanders and 145 foreign nationals ...3 days ago
- Minister to Singapore for defence, technology talksDefence and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins departs for Singapore tomorrow for defence and technology summits and meetings. First up is the Asia Tech X Singapore Summit, followed by the Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers Meeting and wrapping up with the Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from ...4 days ago
- Major investment in teacher supply through Budget 24Over the next four years, Budget 24 will support the training and recruitment of 1,500 teachers into the workforce, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today. “To raise achievement and develop a world leading education system we’re investing nearly $53 million over four years to attract, train and retain our valued ...5 days ago
- Joint statement on the New Zealand – Cook Islands Joint Ministerial Forum – 20241. New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters; Minister of Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Dr Shane Reti; and Minister for Climate Change Hon Simon Watts hosted Cook Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Hon Tingika Elikana and Minister of Health Hon Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown on 24 May ...6 days ago
- Middle East, Africa deployments extendedThe Government has approved two-year extensions for four New Zealand Defence Force deployments to the Middle East and Africa, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. “These deployments are long-standing New Zealand commitments, which reflect our ongoing interest in promoting peace and stability, and making active ...7 days ago
- Climate Change Commission Chair to retireThe Climate Change Commission Chair, Dr Rod Carr, has confirmed his plans to retire at the end of his term later this year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Prior to the election, Dr Carr advised me he would be retiring when his term concluded. Dr Rod Carr has led ...7 days ago
- Inaugural Board of Integrity Sport & Recreation Commission announcedNine highly respected experts have been appointed to the inaugural board of the new Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission is a new independent Crown entity which was established under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act last year, ...7 days ago
- A balanced Foreign Affairs budgetForeign Minister Winston Peters confirmed today that Vote Foreign Affairs in Budget 2024 will balance two crucial priorities of the Coalition Government. While Budget 2024 reflects the constrained fiscal environment, the Government also recognises the critical role MFAT plays in keeping New Zealanders safe and prosperous. “Consistent with ...7 days ago
- New social housing places to support families into homesNew social housing funding in Budget 2024 will ensure the Government can continue supporting more families into warm, dry homes from July 2025, Housing Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka say. “Earlier this week I was proud to announce that Budget 2024 allocates $140 million to fund 1,500 new social ...7 days ago
- New Zealand’s minerals futureIntroduction Today, we are sharing a red-letter occasion. A Blackball event on hallowed ground. Today we underscore the importance of our mineral estate. A reminder that our natural resource sector has much to offer. Such a contribution will not come to pass without investment. However, more than money is needed. ...1 week ago
- Government sets out vision for minerals futureIncreasing national and regional prosperity, providing the minerals needed for new technology and the clean energy transition, and doubling the value of minerals exports are the bold aims of the Government’s vision for the minerals sector. Resources Minister Shane Jones today launched a draft strategy for the minerals sector in ...1 week ago
- Government progresses Māori wards legislationThe coalition Government’s legislation to restore the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards has passed its first reading in Parliament, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. “Divisive changes introduced by the previous government denied local communities the ability to determine whether to establish Māori wards.” The ...1 week ago
- First RMA amendment Bill introduced to ParliamentThe coalition Government has today introduced legislation to slash the tangle of red and green tape throttling some of New Zealand’s key sectors, including farming, mining and other primary industries. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says the Government is committed to unlocking development and investment while ensuring the environment is ...1 week ago
- Government welcomes EPA decisionThe decision by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the continued use of hydrogen cyanamide, known as Hi-Cane, has been welcomed by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. “The EPA decision introduces appropriate environmental safeguards which will allow kiwifruit and other growers to use Hi-Cane responsibly,” Ms ...1 week ago
- Budget 2024: 'Every little bit helps' as millions of households get extra $30 a week
Voters spoken to by RNZ say the tax cuts will have a "positive impact" - and they're looking forward to pocketing a little extra cash. ...59 mins ago - Budget 2024 locks in fiscal restraint for years to comeAnalysis - The wall-to-wall coverage of public service cuts in recent months is set to become the new normal, with little money left from here on out. ...59 mins ago
- Budget 2024: Nearly 200 police support jobs to go as government boosts front-line numbersThe staff cuts - which could include 111 operators - could result in more pressure on sworn officers, union says. ...59 mins ago
- Budget 2024: Cancer patient devastated that government won't fund new drugsVickie Hudson-Craig pays $5500 a month for the drugs that keep her alive. Now her hope is "wiped away". ...1 hour ago
- Budget 2024: How much tax relief are we really getting?The government has dressed up its tax bracket adjustments as tax cuts, but do they scratch the surface of inflation? We've crunched the numbers. ...1 hour ago
- What About The Crown Keeping Its Promise To Māori & Prioritising That?
...1 hour ago - Budget 2024: starving the future’s needs to pay for today’s politics
The government’s myopic focus on short-term interests – both the taxpayers’ and its own – risks causing long-term damage, warns Max Rashbrooke. Evidence of a continued addiction to spending? Or, conversely, a slash and burn approach to the public finances? Neither of these rival interpretations of finance minister Nicola Willis’s ...2 hours ago - From boy scouts to the ‘bugger’ dog: A brief history of ad complaints in New ZealandFeaturing dangerous driving in an Austin Mini, line dancers vs the Open Polytechnic and the many misdemeanours of Hell Pizza. For as long as there have been ads in New Zealand, there have been people complaining about them. Fifty and a bit years ago, a lightning rod for those complaints ...2 hours ago
- Visitor levy could double as Govt considers raft of tourism fees
NZ will generate $261m over four years if it hikes its visitor levy, according to yesterday’s Budget The post Visitor levy could double as Govt considers raft of tourism fees appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago - Extra cash for Disability Ministry but cost pressures loomThe amount allocated to Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People is 24 percent more than what it received last year, including $80 million before the Budget to see the department through an overspend. The ministry will get an extra $1.1 billion until 2028. That’s on top of its nominal baseline funding ...2 hours ago
- Critical police funding dangling over fiscal cliffPolice have been ordered to find $120 million in savings in the next year, or risk falling off a fiscal cliff. Among the Budget’s “time-limited funding” table – read: fiscal cliffs page – is funding for police cost pressures. The $120m in funding is a one-off, with nothing beyond Budget ...2 hours ago
- Overseas aid falls further in BudgetWinston Peters didn’t have everything his own way in this year’s Budget, with the country’s aid falling – potentially quite sharply The post Overseas aid falls further in Budget appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Praise for flood-fighting fund as Treasury raises climate risksThe Government spending millions of dollars on stop banks and floodwalls is welcomed by some, questioned by others The post Praise for flood-fighting fund as Treasury raises climate risks appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 31 MayThe post Daily crossword, Friday 31 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Get off the fence, NZ – we have a legal and moral duty towards PalestineNew Zealand’s position on recognising Palestinian statehood is a muddled, awkward fence-sitting one, especially when international opinion is turning towards recognition as a tool for peace Opinion: On May 10, the United Nations General Assembly called on the Security Council to admit Palestine as a full member of the organisation ...2 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books – May 31FICTION 1 Amma by Saraid de Silva (Hachette, $37.99) A review by Betty Davis will likely appear next week in ReadingRoom of da Silva’s intergenerational epic set in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and it will likely be headlined “Novel of the Year”. 2 Bird Child and Other Stories ...2 hours ago
- Budget shifts universities’ financial burden onto studentsBudget 2024 moves Fees Free to the final year, increases overseas loan interest, cuts the Apprenticeship Boost scheme and proposes a 6% tuition fee hike The post Budget shifts universities’ financial burden onto students appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- A Budget for the ‘squeezed middle’ leaves out most KiwisIn aiming for a middle-of-the-road Budget, the finance minister has forgotten that most people sit on the wings The post A Budget for the ‘squeezed middle’ leaves out most Kiwis appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- NZCTU: Budget At A Glance 2024Budget 2024 fails the most important tests ...2 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Government’s pursuit of a hate speech law could take it down another cul-de-sac
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and his “shadow”, Michaelia Cash, are both volatile characters. When they met this week to discuss the government’s draft religious discrimination bill, an incendiary issue in the best of circumstances, sparks flew. ...7 hours ago - Budget 2024: 'Assault on nature' as government cuts funding for environmental programmesThe government's only new environmental funding will go to resource management reforms, which have been relaxing rules for natural protection. ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2024: What's in it for households?Here are 10 things in the Budget for households. ...10 hours ago
- Giant hands and Jamaican reggae: The budget debate goes off the railsOver the course of three hours of budget speeches, parliament turned into an unruly, overtired detention hall, where MPs forgot all about tax cuts and started yelling random words from the dictionary. Joel MacManus was there. Nicola Willis tried so hard to make the budget boring. The white cover page, ...10 hours ago
- Budget 24: How's it being received?Love it or hate it, the Budget will affect you in some way. This is what industry leaders have to say about funding that might impact you. ...10 hours ago
- Budget 2024: No surprises but little excitement for voters in National's tax cutsAnalysis - With the centre-right back in charge, it's not so much the axe being swung as the pendulum, Tim Watkin writes. ...10 hours ago
- Opinion: Budget 2024 does not fulfil the Crown's te Tiriti obligationsOpinion - Māori whānau will get far less in this Budget than Pākehā, writes Julia Whaipooti. How can we strive for equality when our starting point is so different? ...11 hours ago
- Opinion: Budget 2024 does not fulfil te Tiriti obligationsOpinion - Māori whānau will get far less in this Budget than Pākehā, writes Julia Whaipooti. How can we strive for equality when our starting point is so different? ...11 hours ago
- 'Fired up' protesters oppose government's anti-Māori policies in droves across Aotea...Streets were packed as thousands rallied nationwide against policies on Māori, as Te Pāti Māori announced plans for a separate parliament. ...11 hours ago
- Back to Back’s Multiple Bad Things takes a sophisticated look at the moral ambiguities of today’...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Austin, Lecturer in Theatre, The University of Melbourne Bron Batten, Scott Price and Sarah Mainwaring perform on stage in Multiple Bad Things. Ferne Millen Back to Back Theatre is an internationally lauded ensemble of collaborators based in Geelong. With some ...11 hours ago
- NZ Budget 2024: ‘tax relief’ for the ‘squeezed middle’ – but who’s paying? 7 experts fol...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Craig Elliffe: Small cuts, big consequences Honestly, who would want to be Nicola Willis at this point? The effect of $14.7 billion of tax cuts is ...12 hours ago
- Abuse In Care Royal Commission's Recommendations Delivered To Government; Final Report To Follo...“The whole country must pay attention when our final report is released and take responsibility to make sure it never happens again,” said Judge Shaw. ...13 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Delivering On Promises – Just – While Standing On QuicksandBudget 2024 delivers on election promises, just. Fiscal neutrality was a key consideration, as revenue projections suffer from a bleaker reality. ...13 hours ago
- As Israel pushes into Rafah, it exposes an uncomfortable truth: no court alone can protect civilians...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Taucher, Lecturer in History, Murdoch University The world has reacted with anger this week after an Israeli air strike on a safe zone for displaced civilians in southern Gaza reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 45 people, including women ...13 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Try RNZ's tax calculatorTry RNZ's tax calculator to see whether the government's tax changes will help your family. ...13 hours ago
- Oral Submissions On The Local Government (Electoral Legislation And Māori Wards And Māori Constitu...The committee will meet as a full committee on Tuesday 4 June to hear from local government and iwi/hapu groups. ...13 hours ago
- Bernard Hickey on the budget: ‘They’ve talked their way into a deeper recession’A special Gone By Lunchtime meets When the Facts Change crossover episode for budget day. Nicola Willis has kept her word: in her first budget, the National-led coalition has delivered tax cuts. As for whether she is right to say that those cuts are delivered thanks to savings and new ...14 hours ago
- Budget 2024: The great Spinoff hot-take roundtableFinance minister Nicola Willis describes her budget as moderate and responsible. But what do the experts think? Jacqueline Paul: $20m rangatahi housing cut a short-sighted decision The budget for 2024 is deeply disappointing and fails to at least attempt to address Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent housing crisis, especially for rangatahi. As someone ...14 hours ago
- Budget Day Hīkoi heads to Parliament as thousands gather around countryA crowd marched on Parliament in Wellington, where inside the country's leaders were ushering in this year's Budget. ...14 hours ago
- A guide to Budget 2024 for people who don’t do numbersEverything you need to know about Budget 2024, and not a line more. After sharing home-made choc-chip cookies with the prime minister, finance minister Nicola Willis presented her first budget today at 2pm, wearing a blue power suit and a sense of determination. “I have kept my pledge,” she announced, ...14 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Political parties react to coalition government's budget announcementPolitical parties are less than impressed with the contents of the coalition government's first Budget. ...15 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Education sees funding for new schools, training and cyber securityBudget 2024 includes $2.5 billion in new spending over four years for education and a further $429 million in redirected savings, most of it from the Ministry of Education. ...15 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Winners and losersWho is set to gain and who is missing out as a result of this year's Budget? RNZ takes a look. ...15 hours ago
- Budget Eases Some Local Infrastructure Pain – But Stronger Medicine Is NeededCouncils will see some relief from the huge infrastructure challenge they’re facing right now in the Government’s Budget, LGNZ Vice-President Campbell Barry said today. ...15 hours ago
- Willis opens her head, not just her heartOpinion: So here we are then, back on a track. Having wandered off into the foothills of kindness, the valleys of wellbeing and the sheer rock walls of high inflation and interest rates, guide Nicola Willis has appeared in her bright blue trouser suit holding up a blue balloon to ...15 hours ago
- Government “living In An Alternative Universe” With 2024 BudgetThe Government’s Budget ignores the climate and biodiversity crises Aotearoa is facing and will shoulder future generations with “unconscionable debt”, says the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) New Zealand. ...15 hours ago
- What is in Budget 2024 for Māori?From changes to health, education, housing and kapa haka, here's what the budget will mean for Māori. ...16 hours ago
- Federated Farmers: No Frills Or Surprises In Budget"Just like the average farmer’s budget, the Government doesn’t have a lot of spare cash laying around to spend on nice-to-haves and optional extras," says Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford. ...16 hours ago
- Budget 2024 Fails To Deliver Relief For General Practice Pressures“Budget 2024 was always going to be delivered against a backdrop of significant fiscal constraints and GPNZ recognises those challenges. We were well briefed, we knew despite our desperate situation this wasn’t going to be our year for change,” ...16 hours ago
- Budget 2024: More money for new doctors, increased breast screening access and security in EDThe Finance Minister says she "regrets" funding for extra cancer drugs was not possible in Budget 2024, despite it being promised during the election campaign. ...16 hours ago
- What are nootropics and do they really boost your brain?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nenad Naumovski, Professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Canberra LuckyStep/Shutterstock Humans have long been searching for a “magic elixir” to make us smarter, and improve our focus and memory. This includes traditional Chinese medicine used thousands of years ...16 hours ago
- As Expected – A Bots Budget From The National CoalitionNothing in this year's budget can disguise the fact that this government is hellbent on worsening conditions for all of us, at the expense of all of us. ...16 hours ago
- Flood protection schemes a drop in the infrastructure bucketA Regional Infrastructure Fund is one aspect of the new Budget’s infrastructure package, partially focused on resilience and recovery. But mostly it’s about roads. The infrastructure package represents “a record amount” of investment via a “coherent pipeline” according to Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop. These are the statements that industry ...16 hours ago
- Budget 2024 in charts: What does it all mean?The promise of tax cuts isn't enough to disguise the other clear message in the government's Budget: the economic outlook is still gloomy. Kate Newton breaks down what that means for you. ...16 hours ago
- Budget 2024 at a glance: What you need to knowThe coalition is confident Budget 2024 is just what was promised: tax relief for the squeezed middle and reduced spending. Here's the main spending and savings. ...16 hours ago
- Budget 2024: The Mother Of All DisappointmentsAll in all, this Budget means New Zealand goes further into the red. Debt servicing costs for the coming year will be $9.2 billion. That’s the same as we are forecast to spend on primary schools, secondary schools, and justice combined. ...17 hours ago
- Live: Budget 2024 unveiled – here's everything you need to knowWho gets tax cuts? Where is the economy going? The books have been revealed. ...17 hours ago
- Nicola Willis delivers the Budget she promisedFinance Minister Nicola Willis has delivered the Budget she has been promising – even before she became finance minister – almost to the letter. Exciting? No. Snazzy? No way. But basic, balanced and relatively bland? You bet. Like the strict school principal who’s come in to crack the whip, after ...17 hours ago
- Budget 2024 in chartsThe promise of tax cuts isn't enough to disguise the other clear message in the government's Budget: the economic outlook is still gloomy. Kate Newton breaks down what that means for you. ...17 hours ago
- Further spending cuts will be needed in future Budgets – WillisThe $3.9 billion of cuts to public sector initiatives and staff numbers isn’t a one-off, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said, with further cuts needed to meet cost pressures in future Budgets. Willis’ first Budget unveiled a relatively slim operating allowance of $3.2 billion for this year, dropping to $2.4 ...17 hours ago
- National unveils Budget 2024, keeps tax cut promisesNational has kept its tax cut promise, laying out a relief package largely in line with the 'Back Pocket Boost' it campaigned on during the election. ...17 hours ago
- Live updates: All the latest as the budget is revealedAll the latest news from budget day, including live news and reactions. The budget has officially been released. You can find all the top lines here. Follow this blog for up to date reaction, including from the opposition and in the debating chamber. For coverage of today’s hīkoi and rallies ...17 hours ago
- Tax cuts central in ‘disciplined’ coalition BudgetA $14.7 billion package of tax cuts is at the heart of a Budget otherwise light on new initiatives and heavy on funding reductions, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying the new coalition Government is “weaning off” high spending under Labour. Health, education and law and order are the main ...17 hours ago
- Budget details: Public service cuts to pay for tax cuts“It all adds up,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis said revealing exactly how $3.9 billion each year until 2028 has been cut out of the public service. Details for 34 public agencies and departments show that five met their baseline savings targets, 17 did not, and 12 went over and above. ...17 hours ago
- Parents are increasingly saying their child is ‘dysregulated’. What does that actually mean?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cher McGillivray, Assistant Professor Psychology Department, Bond University ShUStudio/Shutterstock Welcome aboard the roller coaster of parenthood, where emotions run wild, tantrums reign supreme and love flows deep. As children reach toddlerhood and beyond, parents adapt to manage their child’s big ...17 hours ago
- Labor’s new National Urban Policy is welcome. But will it be transformative?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Freestone, Professor of Planning, School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney In March 2021, then-Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese declared “cities policy has been one of the abiding passions of my time in public life”. He promised a new national urban policy framework ...17 hours ago
- Tonga’s volcanic eruption could cause unusual weather for the rest of the decade, new study showsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Jucker, Lecturer in Atmospheric Dynamics, UNSW Sydney NASA Worldview Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (Hunga Tonga for short) erupted on January 15 2022 in the Pacific Kingdom of Tonga. It created a tsunami which triggered warnings across the entire Pacific basin, and ...17 hours ago
- In pictures: Thousands join Budget Day protest hīkoi across AotearoaProtesters have taken to the roads to oppose government policies toward Māori, for an 'activation day' to coincide with the Budget. ...18 hours ago
- Live: Budget Day Hīkoi heads to Parliament as thousands gather around country"We are protesting not for ourselves alone, but for our tūpuna, our mokopuna," say protesters among those gathering around the country for a Budget Day Hīkoi. ...18 hours ago
- Women are 14 times more likely to die in a climate disaster than men. It’s just one way climate ch...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carla Pascoe Leahy, Adjunct Researcher, University of Tasmania When we think of climate and environmental issues such as climate-linked disasters or biodiversity loss, we don’t tend to think about gender. At first glance, it may seem irrelevant. But a growing body of ...18 hours ago
- How to cut stray cat numbers in a way that works better for everyoneSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacquie Rand, Emeritus Professor of Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland ozanuysal/Shutterstock Stray cats are a big problem across most Australian cities and towns. They cause many complaints related to nuisance behaviours and concerns about urban wildlife, as well as ...18 hours ago
- Suddenly, there’s talk about Labor reforming company tax. What did minister Ed Husic say, and what...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristen Sobeck, Research Fellow, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University When politicians talk about business tax reform, and talk about using it to stimulate investment, they are usually referring to one of (or a mix ...18 hours ago
- Three Nouméa police officers face prosecution after viral violent videoBy Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Three Nouméa municipal policemen are now facing a prosecution after a disturbing video was posted in a Facebook neighbourhood watch group, allegedly implicating them in acts of severe violence against a Kanak man they had just arrested. The municipal police officers ...18 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Nicola Willis gets her tax cuts through hundreds of little slashesNicola Willis has announced the smallest budget since 2018, with an operating allowance of $3.2 billion. For the most part, it makes good on National’s promised tax cuts. Joel MacManus reports from the Budget 2024 lockup at the Beehive, thanks to the support of Spinoff Members. For rolling coverage ...18 hours ago
- Budget 2024 live: Follow along as tax cuts and the government books are unveiledWho gets tax cuts? How much will the government have to borrow? The books are about to be revealed. ...19 hours ago
- Dawn raids never died: why formal apologies and restoring NZ citizenship are still not enoughSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Johnstone, PhD Candidate, Criminal Justice, University of Canterbury Getty Images The dawn raids of the 1970s, when police descended on Pacific Island households in New Zealand’s main cities to find and deport “overstayers”, remain a scar on New Zealand’s collective ...19 hours ago
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